CHANGES IN THE AVIFAUNA OF LORAIN COUNTY, 



OHIO. 



It is not my purpose to elaborately discuss the various changes which 

 have occurred in the bird life of the county during its life as a county, 

 nor even within recent years, but rather to notice some special features. 

 In common with other parts of the eastern portion of the Mississippi 

 Valley, as well as the Atlantic slope, and to a less degree other parts of 

 the country, Lorain county has suffered the complete extinction of one 

 or two birds, diminution in the numbers of some and the increase of 

 others. In a region, the natural character of which has been so greatly 

 modified as the Western Reserve of Ohio, from dense forests to relative- 

 ly open farming land, it is doubtful if there are any species of birds 

 which have not undergone some change in numbers or habits. But we 

 are concerned with only the more striking changes. 



EXTINCT SPECIES. 



1. Wild Turkey, J/r/cai^^ri's ^aUopai'o. — Formerly a very common 

 game bird in the forests of the county, but it has long since entirely dis- 

 appeared. A specimen in the Oberlin College museum was collected 

 about 1858. 



2. P.^ssENGER Pigeon, Ectopistcs jjiif^ratoriiis. — The immense 

 flights of former years have given place to a condition of practical ex- 

 tinction. There is no recorded capture or occurrence within fifteen 

 years. 



♦ DECREASING SPECIES. 



Under this heading there should be grouped all of the Anseres, 23 

 species; Limicolae, 18 species, and Gallinae, 2 species, which are found in 

 the county. The Woodcock and Bob-white are, however, on the in- 

 crease, thanks to protective laws. Killdeer and Spotted Sandpiper are 

 still common, but less so than six years ago. 



Short-e.\red Owl, Asia accipilrinus. — It was reported as a common 

 resident eight years ago, by Messrs. L. M. McCormick and Geo. D. Wil- 

 der. I have seen but two individuals in the past six years, and those on 

 the lake shore in March. 



Barred Owl, Syrniiim yiebidosiim. — The steady decrease year by 



osS-^ 



